Hip-Hop Congressional Hearing Today September 25, 2007
Posted by aeschtunes in Congressional hearings, hip-hop, music.Tags: Congressional hearings, From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and, hip-hop
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The Congressional hearing looking into the treatment of African-American women (“From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degrading Images”) was held today. During the hearing, lawmakers, music industry executives and rappers disagreed on who was to blame for sexist and degrading language in hip-hop; however, they agreed that government censorship was not a solution.
Music videos showing scantily-clad women were played during the hearing. Music executives testified on the uses of offensive language, while black civil rights leaders talked about corporate exploitation. Record label executives defended their parental guidance labels and edited versions they use to keep the offensive material away from children. The executives also argued that uniform standards of censorship won’t work.
Philippe Dauman, president & CEO of Viacom Inc., said his company takes an active role in in editing obscenities from music videos and taking out gang symbols or portrayals of violence. However, he added that it is Viacom’s belief that it is not the company’s role to censor artists’ creative expression.
For some, the hearing was similar to, although tamer, than the hearings in 1985 where Tipper Gore and Susan Baker were urging the music industry to voluntarily police itself on song lyrics.
Upcoming Congressional Hearing: Lyrical Imagery of African-American Women In Hip-Hop September 13, 2007
Posted by aeschtunes in Congressional hearings, Universal Music Group, Viacom, Warner Music Group, hip-hop, music.Tags: Congressional hearings, From Imus To Industry The Business Of Stereotypes And D, hip-hop
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Back in April 2007, Don Imus caused a stir when he referred to the Rutgers women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed hos.” During the uproar that ensued, some people were arguing that if Don Imus could be castigated for using this racial slur, then why weren’t African-American rappers using the same slurs being criticized?
In answer to this criticism, a congressional hearing (“From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degradation”) has been set for September 25. The hearing will investigate media stereotypes and degradation of African-American women in hip-hop and the entertainment industry. Expected to appear as witnesses at the hearing are Philippe Daumon of Viacom, Doug Morris of Universal Music Group, Edgar Bronfman, Jr. of Warner Music Group, and Master P.
Now, I see this as a good start. However, why should we limit the examination of stereotypes and degradation to African-Americans, to rap music, and to women? Shouldn’t we examine stereotypes and degradation of any kind (race, gender, sexual orientation) that takes place in any genre of music?
Recently, Ja Rule did an expletive-filled interview with SOHH.com, voicing his objections to the upcoming hearings. While I can understand and sympathize with the idea of these hearings turning hip-hop into a kind of “scapegoat,” I cannot condone his trying to condemn homosexuality in the media, and trying to shift blame over to homosexuality in television and films. It’s also hard for me to take someone very seriously if they have to rely so much on expletives to make their point.
I hope that these upcoming hearings can serve as a starting point for evaluation and discussion of the various kinds of stereotypes and degradation in the media. It would be a shame to hold this hearing and bring prominence to stereotypes and degradation, and then after the hearing, the topic ends up being swept under the rug.
